[Exit to Glory: Book of Tributes] Life and Times of A Woman of Substance, Barrister Princess Barrister Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo

Barrister Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo was a woman of substance – the founder of Trixtresse Associates Chambers, her law firm, a notary public, the former treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch, and also the former Vice President of the Catholic Lawyers Association of Nigeria.  Nwamaka, the second child and the first daughter of late Pa Adolphus Nnaemeka Ikegbuna Chigbo, Okaa Onyeogadilimma of Abidi village, and Late Mrs. Victoria Chinelo Chigbo (nee Moughalu), and the granddaughter of Chief Mark Moughalu of Anaogu village and Ma Christiana Idemili (Mama Lagos) of Umuoli village, all in Umuoji in Idemili North of Anambra State, has been in legal practice since 2003 when she was called to the Bar. She was the external legal adviser to Bolton White Hotel, Abuja, until her untimely, gruesome death at the hands of kidnappers, who snuffed life out of her on January 5, 2026.

Princess of the Bar, as she was fondly called by her colleagues and friends, Barrister Chigbo, was, according to the Global Association of Female Attorneys (GAFA), a distinguished Nigerian Legal practitioner, scholar, and advocate whose life was marked by service, intellectual excellence, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Her unassailable footprints in the sands of legal practice were amply chronicled by GAFA, thus: “She was known for her quiet strength, disciplined professionalism, and a heart deeply invested in the dignity and protection of the vulnerable. Princess Mediatrix was trained in law with a passion that extended beyond practice into scholarship. At the time of her passing, she was an LL.M candidate at the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, where she pursued advanced legal studies with uncommon diligence.  Her academic journey reflected a mind committed to critical inquiry and a spirit eager to deploy the law as an instrument for social transformation. She was respected by her peers and lecturers alike for her intellectual clarity, humility, and consistency. As a legal practitioner, Chigbo distinguished herself by her ethical posture and commitment to excellence. She approached legal practice not merely as a profession, but as a calling – one that demanded integrity, courage, and compassion. She was particularly passionate about issues affecting women, children, and marginalised persons, and she consistently lent her voice, time, and expertise to causes that promoted access to justice and human rights protection.

She used her legal practice to represent the less privileged in society and had, on occasion, travelled to her hometown to offer legal services on a pro bono basis and also performed other community services to uplift the lives of the downtrodden.

This is why GAFA, where she was the International Secretary, described her as an active member of professional legal associations where she contributed meaningfully to advocacy, mentorship, and institutional development. Her colleagues remember her as calm yet resolute, gentle yet firm – someone whose presence inspired confidence and whose counsel was always thoughtful and principled – a woman who listened more than she spoke, but whose words carried weight when she did. Her life, though tragically cut short, was rich in meaning and impact. She was committed to justice, a scholar devoted to learning, and a woman whose legacy will continue to speak through the lives she touched and the values she embodied. Her memory remains a call to courage, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
 
*Education and Career*

Chigbo attended Pioneer Primary School, Odakpu, Onitsha, from where she entered Ujom Grammar School, Asaba, in elementary class five. Having cleared all her papers in one sitting of the West African Examination Council WAEC, she gained admission to study Food Technology at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, where she bagged a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Food Technology. She travelled to Kaduna State for the National Youth Service Corps and performed her mandatory one-year national service with the Kaduna Polytechnic, Tudun Wada, Kaduna South. Thereafter, she variously worked as a teacher at Saint Ann’s College, Kakuri, Kaduna, and ran her own private catering business before she gained admission to study Law at the Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. On completion, she moved to Abuja for her Nigerian Law School mandatory vocational training. She attended the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) and was sworn in as a Chartered Mediator in 2016. Ever since that time, she had amicably resolved matters satisfactorily for parties in dispute. A hardworking lawyer with a scholarly disposition, she was an LLM candidate at the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, before her untimely death.

Professional and Religious Affiliations
Princess belonged to many professional bodies, including the Global Association of Female Attorneys (GAFA), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Otu Okaiwu (Igbo Lawyers), 2003 Law Class, ABU, Zaria, African Women Lawyers (AWLA), and National Association of Catholic Lawyers.

Nwamaka exemplified fortitude, moral rectitude, and a deep faith in God amidst an avalanche of life’s vicissitudes that assailed her. She remained dogged, cheerful, and hardworking, believing that God would see her through despite odds. She believed so much in family and lived the Igbo saying of Onuluakwa nwanne gbata. Her beliefs are rooted in her being an ardent Catholic who actively belonged to many pious societies, including Holy Infant Jesus Society, Legion of Mary, Confrantanity of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, St. Joseph Association, Holy Face of Jesus (all in Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Procathedral, Area 3, Abuja), Sacred Heart of Jesus and Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi Community at St Mary John Vianney Catholic Church, Lugbe, Abuja. She authored a book on Infant Jesus and was so happy when the book was acknowledged at one of their Association’s prayer retreats a few years ago, and many members bought the book. In sum, she was a prayer warrior religiously.

With a strong sense of kinship, Nwamaka is an embodiment of humility, self-effacing, unassuming, forthright, disciplined, and very communal. She believes so much in communal life and will often times when she returns to the village will visit all members of her kinsmen when she returns to the village to felicitate with them and render help and advice where it is needed. A fearless and generous heart, she will not prevaricate in speaking the truth at all times, no matter whose ox is gored, and she gave her all to humanity in her search for justice for all and will rather go hungry than see a family or someone without food. Very gregarious, she epitomises a beautiful heart who adjusts as the situation demands to laugh with those celebrating their achievements and mourn with those mourning, and gives them words of comfort and encouragement, and will journey a thousand miles at great risk and personal discomfort to achieve these on numerous occasions.  Unbelievably gifted, she could sew her clothes and easily whip up delicious, nutritious food to entertain visiting friends and family members, and she will not stop offering advice on how to eat well and maintain a healthy life-work balance. Her culinary gifts made her the Master baker of wedding cakes for family members who got married. In fact, some family members, both nuclear and extended, sought her out on festive occasions, especially Christmas, to have a taste of her deliciously baked cake. A very sensitive soul, she could easily be hurt and forgiving at the same time, offering everything to God, and some people took advantage of her kind nature. Her primary aim is to ensure everyone around her is happy at her own expense. She supported the work of all family members and was the greatest cheerleader of Realnews and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, whom she fought a professional battle to get them registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission. That is why the founders of GOCOP held her in high esteem. She will be missed by all who knew her, especially her immediate nuclear family. May her soul rest peacefully in the bosom of the Lord God Almighty, the creator of Heaven and earth, who will not allow the murderers to escape justice that she stood for all through her legal practice. Amen. Adieu.

***_The profile was written by Maureen Chigbo, PhD._
———————————————————————————————————–

*Tributes from Family Members*

*My Good Sister*

By Celestine Chigbo

It is a good thing that God has called you.  We, therefore, do not question God. God knows best. We all know you are with the Lord in heaven. Concerning the processes and way you handled things, that shows you went to Church on Sunday and in the evening of Monday to Evening Mass, where you booked Thanksgiving Mass, which shows you prepared your way to heaven.

Not only do you render numerous helps to people in diaspora, but you are at the forefront to help the poor, you protect, and you portray the right ideal for people to follow.   

My sister, Barrister Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo, defended a pure water company, Chivoc, from being intimidated by the Chivita Company for answering a company name similar to theirs.  And they were told to change the name, and this was argued in the court, and she won the case. Till today, the pure water company name has retained its name CHIVOC. 

Your strict to life style, for I remember one thing that happened last between two of us.  I wanted to collect all alone, but you refused and said, what was given to us, you want it alone. That you say no to it.  Because of these, I relented.

I say rest in the bosom of the lord.

***_Celestine Chigbo (senior) is the eldest brother of the late Barr. Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo_
—————————————————————————————————–
*Your Death wasn’t discussed, or was it?*

By Maureen Chigbo

We had a hearty discussion about what we intended to achieve together in 2026. We agreed on meaty lofty things we had to do. But your death wasn’t part of it, or was it? That is why I will insist on not paying any platitude here, and I will also not bury you. No, not today. Maybe when the deed is done, and I can look back and tell you cheerfully that I have finally accomplished the huge task that was before us, which we were going to discuss that evening, in addition to seeing to it that justice is done to those who killed you in such a gruesome way on January 5, 2026.

It wasn’t God’s will that you should die a violent death. Or was it? Perhaps, you owe me an answer, now that you are closer to God, to ascertain from Him if this is the way he planned for you to leave the earth when he formed and put you in our mother’s womb and called you by name.

Can you also tell me if you are happier there than you would have been here on this forlorn world? Did you really want me to forge on? Alone? How do you propose that I achieve that? Didn’t you always tell me that we would grow old together? Was it just an empty promise? Did you have to leave so soon without warning? Did you think about how empty the world will be without you? Have you forgotten how I loved to surprise you by knocking on the gate at your residence each time I flew into Abuja very early in the morning? Tell me, won’t you miss all the hugs and storytelling and laughter? And sometimes rational enervating arguments?

You were a very high-spirited, faith-filled woman, were you not? How did Our Mother Mary not help you? You called on her, didn’t you? I also called on Mary, Mother of God, to save you. Udo affirmed our Christian faith, too, on that fateful day. Was it our affirmations that got the kidnappers angry? Was it what led to your brutal murder? Were there other circumstances that made them crack your skull, strangulate you, and brutalise your body? Is this a hate crime? Did the murderers have anything to do with your work and the case you returned to Abuja to prepare for? Is it office-related? Didn’t you often complain about a difficult case you were handling in a certain court? Or does it have to do with your profession, your law practice, or the proposal you were to defend? What exactly happened that fateful day? Why did the kidnappers not call us? Why were all the calls originated from my siblings and me? If the kidnappers actually wanted money, could they not have called us back or given room for negotiation? Who sent them to murder you? What really happened that day, I ask you? Who or what is the source of the pictures that were posted on the internet?

Why is there discordance in the storytelling by the Police, the suspects arrested, whom I interviewed, and verifiable evidence that showed where you were at Area 3, Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral Church, for Evening Mass and prayer meetings of religious groups, after which the incident took place?  Were you at Kubwa, as the police stated in their press release, or at Dei Dei, as the suspects stated? Where were you? Can the phones of the suspects, your phone, be used to verify the truth? Was the investigation rushed or haphazard? Was there a cover-up? What is the real truth? Didn’t the Mortician who first embalmed you say your neck was broken? Did the Coroner also not later say that your death was due to the broken skull and haemorrhage? Why were your eyes so swollen and bloodshot? And your lips and body bruised?   Why is the address in the coroner’s autopsy report different from your residential address? Is this not a case of homicide? Why was I told that it does not matter? Does it really not matter, dear sister? Was your law practice not for justice for the vulnerable? Justice for humanity? Oh, dear sister, I still have plenty of questions that I need urgent answers to help me come to terms with what really happened, and perhaps I can put a closure to this unsavoury episode and finally bury you. Are they answers not crying justice for the dead? Are they not demanding Justice for the living? Justice for the vulnerable in society? Justice for humanity, so your soul can rest in peace?

As of today, I am not part of the burial. Just fulfilling all righteousness to allow your corpse to be laid to rest. After which, the real fact-finding journey begins. Beloved sister, I can’t say goodbye until the deed is done. Only then will you die to live with the saints, everlasting gazing and worshipping at the feet of Jesus, Almighty God, to die no more. Until then, show me the way to unravel the truth. So, help me, God! Amen.

***_Maureen Chigbo, PhD, is the immediate younger sister of Barr. Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo._
—————————————————————————————————

*Still Lost, Devastated, and Weak, My Beloved Sister*

By Anthonia Ejenike

NNE NWANNE M, I have thought about this life and the last hour of your life on this Mother Earth and I am still at a lost, devastated and weak to put down our warmth and lofty desires for one another, our family and our late nephew’s child education (late Paul Çhigbo a.k.a Elisiaku’s) child in addition to other responsibilities which I do not know how you satisfy them. 

All your siblings, friends, and these beneficiaries are still confused as to what to do with the present situation. 
 
You didn’t have NO for an answer when it comes to the sacrifice of your pleasure, talent, and time, alms giving, and charity, generally. 

You always gave to all you have to people just to see them happy, even at your expense.

We, your siblings, are charitable, but yours had no comparison; sometimes I looked at you and pondered and prayed to emulate one-tenth of your charitable life. 

In the last few days of your life, you expressed this charity right inside the Church. The Parish Priest among other things made a statement that it appears that God has no person to donate somethings in the Church, you were among the first three to answer this call, in furtherance to the above you went to the priest and requested the type of drink that he will need to help him host all the priests, religious and the seminarians who where to attend the meeting and you supplied accordingly. 

The most important thing about your charity work is that you never advertised it. We know about it accidentally, or when you wanted us to accomplish the work, or do the needful to see it well implemented.

You lived out your name, MEDIATRIX, to the letter, in that you mediated for people and saw that the issues were resolved amicably so that relationships were maintained. 

You most often than not cautiously tell people where they got it wrong and advise the person to stop. 
Equally wonderful about you is the ability to ask for forgiveness and or express some good measures when you wrong any person, so that life goes on. 

*Social Life*
You were versatile, and this manifested in your social Life. We anchored parties together and attended so many social functions together, both legal and non-legal functions, and felt good. 
We all got “unbarred” jollificafed last NBA Annual General Conference in 2025. In all these functions, we did it without offending God, for we laughed and joked together. It was all fun, and at the end of the day, you bought things for me and reminded me that you are my elder sister. 

Even this last December, you set the entire family agog with different kinds of gifts, cake’s sweets coupled with quality and good clothes which I could not simply afford. I do not know where to start or end because in a split second, you have gone to the extended family members, Umuada, and showered them with gifts and came back happy that you made others happy to the glory of God.

Indeed, we were truly happy. You never requested anything in return except that I know that you accept the fact that their prayers are heard by God.
You do not believe that the evil charms and amulets could afflict you in any way. You believed so much in God that some of our colleagues saw you as a holy woman. May the name of God be praised for this exemplary life and for having implicit trust in Him, and may Mother Mary be honoured both now and forevermore. 

*Legal Practice* 

You were called to the BAR in the year 2003, but your achievements in practice are unequalled. 

You were an articulate, brilliant, and fearless lawyer. You boldly addressed the Court and won cases in Court, and appealed Court Rulings and decisions that were awkward and wrongly delivered, and indeed won some of them. 
Sky was to be the beginning of your limit but for this gruesome end, but never mind the murderers did not truly got at you, as they thought rather you went straight to God because it was the appointed time just like your Master and personal saviour who moved away unhurt before crowd, you wonderously escaped the raw attacks of your enemies and one chance hoodlums in Abuja more than twice.

Our Lord Jesus Christ cried out while he was being crucified, and St Mathias Kalemba Mulumba cried KATONDA, KATONDA, while he was being tortured to death, and those murderers made a jest of and mocked them and stated that they wanted to see KATONDA, which means God, come physically to help them. Indeed, God helped them, and today Christ is our Lord and Savior, while St Mulumba is a Saint of the Catholic Church and sits in heaven.  In the same way, in your last moment, while coming from the church after Evening Mass and met your assailants, one of your last prayers were Mother Mary help me, Mother Mary help me until I switched off the phone in fear, thinking that you had an accident and then immediately called our siblings to call her neighbours, who they know at Abuja to come to her aid. Mother Mary has never deserted anybody who called for her aid or sought her intercessions, and so Mother Mary was with you, took your prayers, and delivered you straight to God without their knowledge, and this is a rare privilege.

Within a few minutes, my immediate elder sister called me and said that it was kidnappers and that they asked for ransom. I was confused because I was happily discussing with Princess just before this incident.

You told me how difficult the journey to  Abuja on the 4th of January went, and we concluded that the most important thing was making the journey safe and at this juncture one official call was interjecting and disturbing the flow of our discussion, and I begged you to allow me to tell them the date of their mediation and in your understanding nature, you obliged. This did not last up to a minute, and on seeing that your phone was still on, I naturally continued the discussion, only to be stopped by your plea to Mother Mary to help you 

Calls were made, and I believed that things were under control, but Lo and Behold the reverse was the case because when I called you again, what followed were barrage of curses from an unknown cranky voice….  “Have you paid the money, or will we kill her?” I was confused as I did not discuss any ransom with anybody. I begged them not to harm my sister, and before I could conclude, the line was switched off. Later, I understood that my immediate elder sister called my sister’s phone and they told her about the ransom. I made another call and heard my sister’s stifled voice saying: “…Nwannem asii si kwunye Ten million na my first bank account number.” I do not know the account number, and my sister was not allowed to give me the account number before the phone went off. At this point, I prayed and called for prayers from priests, and equally waited for perhaps further communication with the assailants.

Sincerely speaking, I did not think that I would lose you to the hands of these demons as I believed that we had made reasonable contact with security agents who assured that they are on top of the matter.

I equally made calls to Rev. Fathers who told me not to lose courage.
In fact, one of the Rev. Fathers whom I contacted told me that during his episode, his kidnappers had to go to town to get his phone charged to enable them to negotiate further on the ransom, and so I prayed all through the night to no avail. To cut a long story short, I was devastatingly informed that they murdered my sister, despite the belief that the security agents were at it. I do not know what to write other than to take solace that this is your appointed time because you met so many challenges in this life and scaled through.

As it is, I can’t say any more than fare thee well till we meet to part no more.

Your stand for justice will not be in vain. The fight for vengeance is not yours. It’s for the Lord, and this you will surely get when it starts. Anyone who in any way or other is involved in this dastardly act will have no place to go.

Ezigbo NWANNE efunarigom.

Nwamaka nwannem jee nke oma
Fare-thee-well well
Adieu, till we meet to part no more. Until then, May God’s blessings and perpetual face continue to shine on you, and May your Soul rest in perfect peace in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen 🙏 and Amen 🙏🙏💖.

***Barrister (Mrs) Anthonia C. Ejenike Esq is the second younger sister of the late Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo.
———————————————————————————————————-

To All Time Great Mediatrix of All Graces
By Gerald Chigbo
The brilliant, intelligent, deep visionary, foresighted, motivational, eloquent, passionate, strong-willed, forthright, principled, courageous, bold, fearless, decisive, precise, executive, and sacrificial leader, and above all, prayerful sister. Everything about you was well planned and executed, and no wonder that you became a graduate having bagged an HND in Food Technology just at the age of 16 years and served the nation meritoriously at the age of 17 years.

Furthermore, after a few years of working experience, you were admitted to Ahmadu Bello University as a law student, graduated, and became a lawyer.

The woman who saw tomorrow and tried to make it better today. It is only the Almighty God that knows best and allows such painful death to happen on that faithful day of 5th January, 2026.

Rest peacefully in the bosom of the Lord, the people’s legend, while your spirit lives on and motivates posterity.

From your younger brother.

***Gerald Chigbo is the younger brother of Barr. Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo
———————————————————————————————————

_To be continued……..……..